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Endgame: Nov. 2

By The New York Times November 2, 2008 11:45 pmNovember 2, 2008 11:45 pm

Supporters cheered Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. at the University of Florida in Gainesville. (Photo: Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times)

THE DAY

John McCain, a proudly superstitious man, spent Sunday holding the final town hall of his campaign, a tribute to the forum he has become so identified with during his two runs for president. And Mr. McCain did it in New Hampshire, which delivered primary victories for him in 2000 and 2008. Though this state went Democratic in 2004, he is hoping that it will support him on Tuesday. “My friends,” he said, “the Mac is back!”

Barack Obama is perhaps not as superstitious, appearing at a packed-to-the-rafters campaign rally in Cleveland with Bruce Springsteen. You would find nothing but respect here for Mr. Springsteen, but let it not be forgotten that he appeared at a similarly packed rally for John Kerry in 2004, who went on to lose, as the Republican National Committee quickly pointed out.

Talk of the end infused the candidates’ speeches, with Sarah Palin referring to “the 11th hour” in criticizing Mr. Obama’s tax plan.

Takeaway: The gates are closing. The time for new speeches, new proposals and new attacks has passed. Now there is one goal: Getting their supporters to the polls. “Ohio, I have two words for you,” Mr. Obama said. “Two days.” — Adam Nagourney

CLOSING ARGUMENTS

Senator John McCain
At a rally in Wallingford, Pa.
“Will our children and grandchildren’s future be brighter than ours? My answer to you is, yes. Yes we will lead, yes we will prosper, yes we will be safer, yes we will pass on to our children a stronger, better country. But we must be prepared to act swiftly, boldly, with courage and wisdom. I’m an American, and I choose to fight.”

THE NUMBERS

Senator Barack Obama
At a rally in Columbus, Ohio
“As I’ve said from the day we began this journey, the change we need won’t come from government alone. It will come from each of us doing our part in our own lives and our own communities. It will come from each of us looking after ourselves, our families and our fellow citizens.”

THE ROAR

“Wherever I go, America remains a repository for people’s hopes, their desires — it remains a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and 1,000 Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down.”Bruce Springsteen, opening an Obama rally in Cleveland

“We’ve seen a tightening of the race. … I really believe Obama is the virtual incumbent, and if he’s not at 50 percent in North Carolina he’s not going to win.”Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, on “Face the Nation”

“What we’re in for is a slam-bang finish. He’s been counted out before and won these kinds of states, and we’re in the process of winning them right now.”Rick Davis, McCain campaign manager, on “Fox News Sunday”

An Obama campaign stop in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times)

We are running out of decks. This is the last day before Election Day, and the daily countdown ends.

For the candidates now it is all about turnout and getting out base voters; there aren’t many people left to convince. Senator John McCain is doing a seven-state swing — airport hangar rallies — while Senator Barack Obama is in Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, an appropriately aggressive finale to his campaign.

And we are getting ready to bid goodbye to what has been the most compelling campaign we have witnessed. Here’s hoping that you enjoyed reading about it as much as we enjoyed telling you about it. — Adam Nagourney

Obama’s Marxist-Leninist Associates: Not So Attractive to Swing Voters

I’m not sure about the comments above concerning a lack of swing voters. As far as I can tell there are a lot of undecided voters out there. :) It’s supposed to be 1 in 7 according to the AP. This is a bad sign for Barack Obama.

Somehow, Obama and his “brilliant” team failed to game out the reality that the Weather Underground, a violent Marxist-Leninist group, would become an appropriate symbol for the logical implications of Barack Obama’s “spread the wealth” philosophy.

(The Weather Underground, by the way, carried out bombings and riots from 1969 to the mid-1970s.)

I was proud to use my vote to score a little revenge on them by voting against Bill Ayers’ young protege. As a child growing up, I remember what it was like to fear their attacks. As a POW, John McCain saw Marxist-Leninists up close. I’m sure memory of what he endured is making this campaign a thrilling come from behind victory.

This has been a fascinating campaign and the only one that I have ‘watched’. Thanks to the NYTimes for the reporting, the opinions, the blogs and the readers’ comments. They have all been at worst entertaining and at best highly informative and thought-provoking. Good work!

I look forward to seeing what the results bring, and what happens over the coming four years.

What happens if the Republicans lose? I mean, if they can’t win Tuesday by exploiting their age-old (at least since 1966) race-baiting, patriotism-challenging, toxic cultural politics of fear, will they have to actually campaign on the ISSUES next time? I’m in my 40s, and I honestly have no idea what that would be like.

Barack Obama has done something for me this year I thought not possible; he restored a sense of hope and optimism I haven’t felt since I was an idealistic college student convinced that the post-Watergate playing field would usher in a new wave of liberal policies for the forseeable future. Sen. Obama is not perfect but he doesn’t pretend to be; he calls us to our better natures, asks us to accept responsibility for our personal actions and stand together to guarantee that government works for all of us. I have volunteered, I have blogged, I have contributed and phone banked. I get teary thinking about the awesome possibilities. He is not for everyone, that I know. But he has not seeded his campaign with charges that his opponent’s supporters are anti-American, suspect or socialist. As such, he has a real possibility to forge a new governing coalition. And that, my friends, would make this truly a transformative election to rival 1980. Vote Hope, not Hate: Obama/Biden ’08!

Comrade McCain when you say…I’m an American, and I choose to fight.”—- be careful that’s why your red states are polling Obama ahead or leaning Obama!

Have you forgotten that due to your corporate socialist acts, American perceive you as a war-mongering socialist to the tune of Bomb,Bomb,Bomb, Iran. What is going to be with you endless fighting or victory?

Also,does victory mean more socialist money for Cheney’s endorsement?

Vote early if you can; if not vote November 4th
If there are problems call 866-OUR-VOTE or log on to 866ourvote.org
Vote Obama/Biden; I did.

Please american citizens, this time elections are FOr all WORLD, not only your wonderful country:
Help to remember us, rest of the world, how marvelous could be your democracy, and be again moral LIDER.

hELP US to forget horrible years of neocons, hullyburtons, bush and those devils.

It’s been fantastic following the coverage from the Times. It’s been fascinating to see the most comprehensive coverage from overseas. Having voted months ago via an absentee ballot, I look to Tuesday’s results with great interest and hope that the world is a better place Wednesday morning with Obama as President

My eyes are aching from endless hours in front of my computer and tv. I’ve gained weight. I need to do laundry. I need to get out of the house and rake the leaves. It has been an amazing campaign… so much drama, shock, disappointment and inspiration. Thank you NYTimes, HuffPo, Politico, WashPo, WSJ, Slate, Salon, Maddow, and countless others….. I can’t wait for it all to be over so I can get back to my life! All the best America!
Canadian for Obama!

I would have enjoyed it more if the coverage of this election hadn’t been tainted by often inaccurate and biased reporting. It’s unfortunate that the most thorough reporting will come after the election. The media should have been doing their job. Goodbye investigative reporting. RIP.

As the US election is now just “around the corner,” I would like to wish Americans the best for the future, and that the right person is elected the new President on Tuesday. I don’t disguise at all my preference for Obama, but now it’s up to you, guys and gals. Thanks to the NYT for allowing us to express our opinion in blogs that were many times emotional, passionate, sensical – and also the other type. Good luck to the USA and, consequently , the world in this momentous decision.

From “FiveThirtyEight.com”, the website that analyzes poll numbers using advanced mathematical techniques:

“The new set of battleground state polling from Mason-Dixon provides a terrific working example of what we call “house effects” — a poll’s consistent tendency to lean toward one candidate or another. Throughout this election cycle, we have found that Mason-Dixon’s polls lean 2-3 points more toward John McCain than the average of other polls taken in those states at the same time.”

This has been such a painful 8 years. Now at the White House it’s time to stop cringing when the Prez opens his mouth; at State, to end the crumbling of US alliances and diplomacy; on Wall Street, to reverse fiscal irresponsibility; on K Street, roll back the power of special interests, in Congress, ease partisan gridlock; and on Main Street, to restore a sense of sanity and self-respect.
Yes, I’m thinking of Obama, but even McCain could achieve at least some of this.

Should it come as a surprise that the standing of the USA in the world continues to plummet following 8 years of disasterous ‘Leadership’ ?

No weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq but millions of mortgages of mass destruction and toxic financial instruments found in the USA. These man made disasters bookmark the beginning and the end of the Presidency of George W Bush. What a legacy to leave the world !

The prospect of a temperamental sabre-rattling maverick President well past his sell by date accompanied by a secessionist moose shooting junior Governor already held to have abused power etc, etc doesn’t bear contemplation. Beautifully packaged at great expense to others, like an X Factor wannabee, it seems the package has arrived without content.

With many much more qualified and capable candidates available, Senator McCain has undoubtedly attempted a Houdini tactic by agreeing to this ‘Machiavellian marriage’ to keep him in the race at the expense of his integrity. Seems more like the X Files than the X Factor.

This stupid fear mongering LIE of Barack Obama being a Marxist now as well as Socialist, how stupid, bet most people do not know what either mean, it is typifies the McCain campaign all attack on Obama rather than Policy!

Mac the Knife, well selling pork knives may be best, like Rocky the come back kid could be heading for his last fight and rather than go out in grace it will be as an Angry Old Man so out of touch!

Don’t be complacent Obama supporters get everyone to get out and vote and make this Vote quite clear with no doubts!

I have enjoyed this year’s election. For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. LOL Yes I am African American and I have voted for every democratic president (who just happened to be a white male) since the age of 18. On November 4th I will cast my Vote for Senator Barack Obama. I am in the middle class and his plan looks like it will work better for me and my kids. So I will take great pride in casting my vote knowing that for the first time a half African American and half white American can really be president. What a great accomplishment. Now we need UNITY and drop this thing about race. Every one bleeds red that’s makes us all one race and that is the human race.

I would like to say, that for the Obama campaign you ran a campaign of integrity. I am sure there were times the campaign was besieged with requests to hammer Senator McCain on a variety of associates. Rather, Senator Obama stayed with the theme of uplifting all citizens and directing us to changing times for the better.

President Obama drew criticism on Thursday when he said, “we don’t have a strategy yet,” for military action against ISIS in Syria. Lawmakers will weigh in on Mr. Obama’s comments on the Sunday shows.Read more…